Went to Rocinha, Rio's largest favela, home to over 100,000 people and only has one official road. Also went to another smaller one that never ever had a drug problem. Rocinha has been pacified. This means the police/army raid the favela and literally force drug dealers out of the neighborhood. There is a significant police presence with a special police unit known as UPP set up to raid the favelas and then make sure the drug dealers don't come back. Not very pub...

I walked from Copacabana to Ipanema and then to the gardens. My legs are takin strain. I have been walking 15-20km a day. Had to take a bus back to Copacabana when I was done. Proud of myself for using public transport

Good news and bad news. Good news is that there are lots of ladies with "floss", though it is not as prevalent as I expected. Bad news is that it seems to be mostly the older generation that wears it. Most would be better off covered up. The bikinis in general though are a lot skimpier than I have seen at any other beach (except for the topless ones of course).

First day in Rio. Temps around midday was 28 but it felt so hot! Spent most of the day walking up and down copacabana and ipanema beaches. Beaches are full of people! Throughout the day there are people jogging, cycling ow working out. Lots of tanned and toned bodies! I thought copacabana was good, but ipanema is even better. You could spend all day people watching

Did not sleep well last night and could hardly eat breakfast. I am so nervous and anxious. It should be better once I am on the plane. Bear with me if there are not many pictures. This site seems to be allowing one pic to be uploaded per blog, and I can't post words without a pic. Speak to you from Rio de Janeiro!